Beautiful Scars

Kilter

After they leave, I check my phone for messages. I have a bit of studying to do for school. I can't believe I'll be graduating soon. I already planned on taking over the bakery from my dad since he's retiring. But, I also want to expand it and add on a small restaurant, since I love to cook, as well as bake. I know it will take money. I've secured a business loan and I'll live in the apartment above the bakery while renovation is going on.

I have a text message from Cass.

Ca$hmere-
Peeta, I'm so sorry I missed dinner with you guys. I miss you though. I was hoping you could come by my house tomorrow and I can make it up to you.

Good. The sooner the better to ask her to marry me.

Sweet Peet-
Yeah that would be great. I have something I wanna give you anyway so I'll be there at 6:30 after my last final.

Ca$hmere-
Ok luv u babe.

Sweet Peet-
U too Cass. Goodnight.

I scroll through the contacts in my phone. I know it's stupid. She hasn't responded in almost four years but it makes me feel better thinking she knows I still care.

Peeta-
Goodnight Katniss.

I think I did pretty well on my finals the best day, and decided to get Cass's favorite flowers and a bottle of champagne. I shower and shave. I dress in slacks, a button up and a blazer and head to Cashmere's apartment.

"Peeta. You shouldn't have. Oh babe, they're so pretty. You remembered I love tulips." Cass says to me and plants her two lips on me.

The evening starts out good and keeps getting better. I tell her about the business plan for the restaurant, and she loves it. She even asks if she could come work for me. Then we ordered some good take out. I tell her she is one of the best things to happen to me. That she is a wonderful woman who has all the qualities I could hope for in a wife and mother of my children. Then I pull out the ring and ask her.

"Cashmere Ashleigh Holloway, will you marry me?"

"Oh my God! Peeta? Oh my God! Yes sweetie! I will marry you! That's the most gorgeous ring I've ever seen!" She squeals.

I'm so proud of myself for making this step. I think I might finally be ready to get over the ridiculous crush I've had for 16 years.

This is a good thing...

It's a great thing.

Right?

I'm getting married.

"Peeta. Earth to Peeta, you there? Aren't you gonna put it on my finger?" Cass asks.

"Oh yeah, of course." I snap back out of my own thoughts.

Cashmere gushes about her ring. Calls her mom and dad to tell them of our engagement. She asks if we can call my parents. I tell her it's late and they've been packing for a vacation to Rome and I'll tell them she said yes in the morning.

She calls me her hubby twice while we straighten up downstairs. Then we head up to her room. She kisses me with much more passion than usual for a weekday. We typically only have sex on the weekends. I'm not sure why. But she seems to want more than a goodnight kiss. I find myself thinking maybe now that we are engaged, this type of thing will happen more spontaneously.

"Peeta, you are so sexy. This ring means so much to me. I want you to feel as good as you've made me feel." Cass says in a seductive tone pushing me onto the bed.

"Oh, Cass!" I can barely think while she unzips my pants and puts her mouth on my very erect manhood, "Damn! Mmm!"

I don't think she's ever done this for me before and it feels awesome. My hands fly to her hair. I grip her wavy blonde locks tighter the closer she gets me to completion.

"Ka... Ka... Kat-ss... Cassy!" I start off quietly and end yelling her name as I release.

"How was that hubby?" She asks, wiping the corner of her mouth with my shirt like it's a napkin. As if she just devoured a satisfying meal.

"Uh. Great. You didn't have to... " I start.

"I wanted to. I feel so close to you now. Besides, you do things like that for me all the time." She states.

"Thank you. Love you." I say.

"Love you. I'm gonna take a shower, you coming?" She questions walking into the bathroom.

"I'll be there in a sec." I say.

I feel ashamed. I almost called out Katniss's name. It's not the first time either. I think that's why I tend to call her Cass. It's so close to Kat.

Ugh!

I'm such a douché.

I shouldn't still be thinking about Katniss in a sexual capacity. But especially when I'm with another woman. Whom I care so much about.

My future wife for Christ's sake!

Despite all of that, I still find myself texting her.

Goodnight. Send.

This is the last time. I'm done waiting for Katniss and only half living my life. I deserve to be happy. I hope she is, wherever she is. I delete the contact and join Cass in the shower.

I'm half way asleep when my phone vibrates. Cass is asleep but the T.V is on. It's pretty late. I wonder who it could be. I'd better get it. It could be Finnick about Annie or the baby.

951-555-4343-
Gipskuvbjt :)

Oh my God!

I deleted her number, but I'd know it anywhere. Katniss texted me back? Well maybe. The message doesn't make sense. She could have given up the number. But so far, all the times I've texted, no ones ever texted back. Not a, "Wrong number Pal!" Or a, "Stop texting! I don't know you!"

Should I text again?

Peeta-
Katniss? Is that you?

951-555-4343-
😄

Peeta-
How are you? I've been trying to get a hold of you and just see how you are all these years. Where have you been?

951-555-4343-
😠🤗☺️,!?@;$"@

Peeta-
I don't know what that means. Are you mad? Can you not tell me? I won't tell anyone. It's just so good to hear from you.

I don't get any further responses. I'm so confused. Then something catches my eye on the news so I turn it up.

"Three days ago, a body was found in an alley in Toronto, Canada. Police have finally confirmed it was the notorious Coriolanus Thread. Or as some people called him 'Snow'. He died of a drug overdose. Therefore, he cannot be tried for his crimes. The most egregious of those being, his involvement in a local rape in 2014. Also, for attempted kidnapping and assault from that same year, that ultimately resulted in the death of a well respected police officer. We spoke with District Attorney Caesar Flickerman and he assured us, justice was served to this man. The DA says they had witnesses and proof beyond a shadow of a doubt, Snow committed those crimes. So to his victims and their families. You have a peaceful night's rest. This is Effie Trinket, reporting for channel 9 News."